It’s not easy to create an icon for a city, but Indian born British artist Anish Kapoor has done it for Chicago.

His giant chrome sculpture Cloud Gate, constructed between 2004-2006, is fast becoming the most instantly identifiable symbol of the town. No longer just the city of Al Capone, Frank Lloyd Wright and Barak Obama, Chicago is becoming the city of the Big Shiny Bean.

I’d seen a lot of photos of this work, but nothing does it justice. Like Ayers Rock/Uluru, you have to see it up close to understand how extraordinary it is.

Until you walk underneath, it’s impossible to get the whole picture.

To many, its perfectly polished surface is just like a fun fair distorting mirror. Only much more interesting.

Omphalos, a depression in its underside, causes wonderful, extraordinary effects.

Everyone wants to be photographed with Cloud Gate.

I read that the artist not only hates its nickname, but was also dissatisfied with its site. It was intended to go in the nearby garden, reflecting nature below and the clouds above.

On its present site, it reflects the city skyline and, sorry Mr Kapoor, that seems appropriate.

It is a wonderful thing to me that a work of art can so capture the imagination of the public. People will come from all over the world to see this.

I wonder how do they clean off the fingerprints and how often do they have to do it. The “bean” looks wonderful but also a bit of a maintenance problem. As for the nickname, spare a thought for Bert Flugelman whose similar shiny sphere’s in Rundle Mall in Adelaide will ever be known as Bert’s Balls.

I read that maintenance and security would be a constant concern, and made Cloud Gate controversial when it was first installed. A large part of the appeal is that the surface is so perfectly reflective.

Yes, Bert’s Balls and his Shish-Kebab in Sydney. Mr Flugelman seems to specialise in nicknameable art.

Chicago IS a fabulous city. I’ve lived here over 20 years and have seen so many improvements over the years. Fabulous architecture, friendly people, and the best part is the lake– it changes every day and between you and the horizon–nothing but water! I now can’t live without that!

Richard – so happy you are enjoying the wonderful Chicago. I too loved the Bean and Marilyn and so much more about the place. A reminder about the Tenement Museum when you get back to NY. You haven’t told us how the show went???? things progress slowly but well at Tapitallee. Love to you both – Jenny and Peter